'Guys and Dolls' coming to Penn-Trafford High School stage

As Nathan Detroit, Penn-Trafford senior Jarrett Reiche is paired with his longtime friend Maddie Nick, who plays Adelaide, in 'Guys and Dolls.' The Penn-Trafford Drama Guild raises the curtain on its spring musical this weekend, with shows on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.

Lillian DeDomenic | For The Penn-Trafford Star

For the opening weekend, Erika Holleran plays Sarah Brown and Dan Forringer portrays Sky Masterson. Next weekend, Rachel Read will take over the Sarah role opposite Jacob Byers as Sky.

Lillian DeDomenic | For The Penn-Trafford Star

Maddie Nick, as Adelaide, rehearses a number with the Hot Box Girls last week.

Lillian DeDomenic | For The Penn-Trafford Star

Dan Forringer and Erika Holleran practice 'If I Were a Bell,' one of the feature songs of Holleran's character, Sarah Brown.

Lillian DeDomenic | For The Penn-Trafford Star

The crapshooters react to the interruption of their game.

Lillian DeDomenic | For The Penn-Trafford Star

The Hot Box Girls command the stage.

If you go

The Penn-Trafford Drama Guild is presenting its spring musical, “Guys and Dolls,” Friday and Saturday and April 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday and April 14 at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $8 for senior citizens and students. Visit www.pthsdramaguild.com for more information.

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The Penn-Trafford Drama Guild is trying something a little different this spring with the lead roles in its spring musical, “Guys and Dolls.”

Over the production's two-week run, starting Friday night, separate casts will portray the four main characters of Sky, Sarah, Nathan and Adelaide.

“We had kids with a lot of the same talent, so we figured we'd feature more of them,” said Beverly Rubright, the show's producer.

The classic musical follows Sky Masterson's attempt to woo Salvation Army worker Sarah Brown to go with him to Cuba and obsessive gambler Nathan Detroit's delay in marrying Adelaide, his fiancée of 14 years.

Some students said they hope the casting decision entices repeat viewings of the show about floating craps games, complicated relationships and repentance.

During the opening weekend, Dan Forringer and Erika Holleran play love interests Sky and Sarah, while Jarrett Reiche and Maddie Nick depict longtime couple Nathan and Adelaide. Next week, Jacob Byers and Rachel Read take up the Sky and Sarah roles, with Mike Zula and Lauren Shovel giving their takes on Nathan and Adelaide.

Those changes in the cast have helped to keep the other actors on their toes during rehearsals since January, said Sarah Funyak, who plays the conservative Salvation Army matron.

“It's a challenge, but I like it,” Funyak said. “It's nice because it gives different people an opportunity.”

The split roles also enabled more prospects for on-stage chemistry, such as pairing Forringer and Holleran, who are longtime friends since their school days at McCullough Elementary School. In their parts, they close the first act with performances of “My Time of Day” and “I've Never Been in Love Before.”

Another duo, Reiche and Nick, said it will be a thrill for them to share scenes as Nathan and Adelaide this weekend because they have been best friends for years.

Nick said one of her favorite songs is “Sue Me,” a duet about their long engagement.

“We're arguing, and for once, I'm standing up to him,” Nick said.

Despite sharing the role of Sarah, Holleran and Read singled out the same song — “If I Were a Bell” — among their favorites in the show because it allows them to cut loose toward the end of the first act.

It helps, Read said, that Sarah is drunk during the song after being straight-laced before.

“Opposite of that, all of my songs are ballads and very lovey-dovey,” she said.

As for the show choice, Rubright said, it's hard to go wrong with a show that has a happy ending.

For those new to “Guys and Dolls,” they probably will recognize songs such as “A Bushel and a Peck,” “Luck Be a Lady” and Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat.”

“I like classic musicals because people leave with a smile on their face,” Rubright said.

Chris Foreman is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-856-7400, ext. 8671, or cforeman@tribweb.com.

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